Teapioca Lounge Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Teapioca Lounge is a tea and dessert franchise serving bubble teas, smoothies, coffee, and unique frozen treats in a casual and inviting setting.

Teapioca Lounge is a distinctive beverage franchise that seamlessly merges the rich traditions of Asian tea culture with the dynamic ambiance of a modern American café. Founded in 2010 in Austin, Texas, the brand has cultivated a loyal following by offering a diverse menu that includes bubble teas, smoothies, brewed teas, and coffee-based drinks.

With its headquarters remaining in Austin, Teapioca Lounge began franchising in 2015, inviting entrepreneurs to join its mission of delivering high-quality, customizable beverages in a welcoming environment.

The franchise's menu is a testament to its commitment to variety and quality, featuring an array of options that cater to a wide range of tastes. From classic milk teas and fruit-infused blends to specialty smoothies and espresso-based drinks, Teapioca Lounge ensures that every customer finds a beverage to enjoy.

What truly differentiates Teapioca Lounge from its competitors is its unique fusion of cultural authenticity and contemporary design. The lounges are designed to be more than just places to grab a drink; they are community hubs where customers can relax, socialize, and experience a slice of Asian tea culture in a modern setting.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Fees $0 to $0
Travel and Living Expenses While Training $3,200 to $10,500
Rent / Real Estate Deposit $7,400 to $25,000
Real Estate Site Selection $0 to $0
Utility and Miscellaneous Security Deposits $300 to $1,800
Leasehold Improvements $143,000 to $208,000
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment $45,000 to $55,000
Opening Inventory $30,000 to $45,000
Office Supplies and Other Opening Items $500 to $1,000
Grand Opening $10,000 to $15,000
Insurance $750 to $900
Signage $5,000 to $10,000
Licensing and Permits $500 to $1,000
Uniforms $500 to $1,000
Legal / Accounting $1,500 to $3,000
Additional Funds (Three Months) $20,000 to $50,000
Total (Teapioca Franchise – Single Unit) $267,650 to $427,200
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Fees $0 to $0
Travel and Living Expenses While Training $3,200 to $10,500
Rent / Real Estate Deposit $7,400 to $25,000
Real Estate Site Selection $0 to $0
Utility and Miscellaneous Security Deposits $300 to $1,800
Leasehold Improvements $143,000 to $208,000
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment $45,000 to $55,000
Opening Inventory $30,000 to $45,000
Office Supplies and Other Opening Items $500 to $1,000
Grand Opening $10,000 to $15,000
Insurance $750 to $900
Signage $5,000 to $10,000
Licensing and Permits $500 to $1,000
Uniforms $500 to $1,000
Legal / Accounting $1,500 to $3,000
Additional Funds (Three Months) $20,000 to $50,000
Total (Teapioca Franchise – Single Unit) $267,650 to $427,200

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Teapioca provides a multi-tiered training framework to ensure franchisees are well-prepared for operating their business. This structured approach includes both mandatory and optional training initiatives aimed at operational efficiency and brand consistency. The main programs include:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Franchisees and their designated managers are required to undergo an initial training session. While Teapioca does not charge tuition or training fees for this session, franchisees are responsible for covering all travel and living expenses. The training must be completed before the business opens and includes instruction on store operations and product preparation.
  2. Ongoing Update Training
    Teapioca provides ongoing training sessions annually to ensure franchisees stay current with operational updates and brand standards. Attendance is required for one session per year, which lasts up to three days, not including any annual convention. While the training itself is free, franchisees must bear all associated travel and lodging costs.
  3. Annual Convention Training
    Franchisees are also required to attend an annual training session during Teapioca's convention. The first two attendees are covered for the entrance fee, but hotel and airfare are the franchisee’s responsibility. Additional attendees are charged a set fee, and failure to attend results in a penalty.

Territory Protection

Teapioca does not offer traditional exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. While franchisees are required to submit three proposed locations for approval and must adhere to Teapioca’s location selection criteria, these approvals do not guarantee territorial exclusivity.

The franchise agreement does not restrict Teapioca from approving other franchises or company-owned locations nearby. However, franchisees may gain a degree of practical protection through the careful site selection and demographic analysis conducted by Teapioca’s approved vendors.

These assessments consider factors like proximity to high-traffic destinations, parking availability, and presence of competing businesses. Even with this analysis, Teapioca reserves the right to approve multiple units in overlapping market areas, leaving room for potential intra-brand competition.

Competitors

Below are some of

Teapioca Lounge

key competitors in the

Coffee & Tea

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
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Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
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33

New
+
65%
65%

$0

$268,000

$427,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

CAFFE ARONNE

CAFFE ARONNE is a coffee-shop franchise offering specialty espresso drinks, iced coffee, pastries and café fare, serving urban café guests and commuters, and known for premium coffee craft, community-centred décor and supportive franchise program.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$98,000 - $268,000

The Rush Coffee

The Rush Coffee is a mobile coffee-truck franchise offering specialty coffee and beverages from mobile units, serving events, campuses and crowded venues, and known for a proven mobile format, franchisee training and turnkey vehicle model.

Franchisees

?

3
+
200%
200%
Investment

?

$72,000 - $241,000

Tastea

Tastea is a beverage-and-snack café franchise offering customizable teas, smoothies, and bowls, serving health- and flavor-focused consumers, and known for bold visual branding, fresh mixes, and social-media-friendly store experience.

Franchisees

?

25
+
25%
25%
Investment

?

$252,000 - $1,392,000

Tom n Toms Coffee

Tom n Toms Coffee is a café franchise offering espresso drinks, pretzels, breads, and light bites, serving students and urban professionals, and known for spacious cafés, extended hours, and a Korean coffeehouse heritage.

Franchisees

?

12
+
71%
71%
Investment

?

$370,000 - $487,000

Feng Cha

Feng Cha is a tea café franchise offering handcrafted milk teas, fruit teas, and desserts, serving tea lovers and social café guests, and known for creative toppings, seasonal menus, and modern, photogenic store designs.

Franchisees

?

72
+
188%
188%
Investment

?

$194,000 - $512,000

illy

illy is a premium café franchise offering espresso beverages, coffee, pastries, and packaged products, serving coffee connoisseurs and travelers, and known for Italian espresso heritage, design-driven cafés, and consistently high-quality blends.

Franchisees

?

17
+
31%
31%
Investment

?

$402,000 - $2,006,000